Are you a hopeless romantic who cannot wait to share your meal and post a sappy picture to Instagram about how much you love your significant other and how in love you are? Or are you like me, who wants to go somewhere alone and stuff my face with food and then go home and get very wine drunk? Either way, you are going to need somewhere to eat for this horrible holiday so I have you covered.
After you finish your hand in hand walk around the seawall and many cozy, couple selfies, it’s time to feast.
Here are your options:
National Chowder Festival:
What better way to spend a cold winter day than eating warm creamy chowder? The Chowder Chowdown is running through the month of February all the way across Canada. Ocean wise Seafood has partners across the country and is selling sustainable seafood chowders which have been inspired by some of the best chefs across the country. With each chowder purchased, a portion of the money will be going to the not-for-profit Ocean wise Seafood program.
Some of Vancouver’s restaurants participating are Little Mexico Cantina, Pajo’s Fish & Chips, Shuck Shuck and Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant and Brewpub. Each place has their own spin on chowder which encourages people to try from many different venders over the month.
Feast of Fortune:
The Chinese Restaurant Awards have been showcasing culinary excellence at the annual Scotiabank Feast of Fortune for St. Paul’s Foundation, since 2015. This year, the Awards have found ten of the best eateries in Vancouver to create menus to elevate the gourmet excitements for this Lunar new Year. It is a delicate, refined and curated vision of the Lunar New Year. Some of the restaurants include Bamboo Grove Restaurant, Heritage Asian Eatery The Fish man and Torafuku.
Hot Chocolate Festival:
Hot chocolate and Valentine’s Day… the perfect pairing. Vancouver’s Hot Chocolate festival first launched in 2011 and it was the first city wide festival Vancouver had seen. The best chocolatiers, pastry shops, bakeries, cafes, gelato and ice cream makers have all come together to make some of the best hot chocolates you find in the city. Their goal this year is to help support local, independent Vancouver businesses. Participants include 49th Parallel Coffee + Lucky’s Doughnuts, Bench Bakehouse, East Van Roasters, Ladurée, Uno Gelato and so many more.
They are also putting on an Instagram contest where you can enter to win gift certificates to participating vendors. all you need to do is take a photo of your hot chocolate, tag @hotchocolatefest or #HCVphotocontest in your caption and you’re entered.
Nightingale
Nightingale is putting together heart-shaped roasted sunchoke and Truffle Pizza with Leek and Chanterelle Mushrooms which are available for pick up or dine in from now until the 14th. They are requiring a 48 hour notice if you will be purchasing a heart-shaped pizza. You can also get your hands one their sparkling wine, H’s brut, at check out.
Blue Hat Bakery-Café
If you are looking for a brunch option then this is it. Blue Hat is offering a DIY “Bubbles and Brunch in Bed.” All of the prep has been done by a team of chefs containing, baked eggs with tomato, parmesan, Italian prosciutto, mini croissants, decadent chocolate sauce, handmade chocolates and strawberries. You are able to chose whether you would like brunch with La Barca Prosecco for $69 or brunch with Mini Moët Champagne for $89. The deadline to order is tomorrow so chop chop.
Notch8
On Valentine’s Day, Notch8 will be serving a three-course set dinner menu, starting at 5:30-9pm. This will be $75 a person. Notch 8 will also be featuring a to go dinner with a four-course menu and all you need to do is reheat when you’re ready to chow down with you special someone. This option is $135 for two.
Fairmont Pacific Rim
Botanist restaurant at the Fairmont Pacific Rim has put together a six-course meal with wine pairings. They are featuring Norther Divine Caviar, Wagyu Striploin, Olive Oil Poached Red Sea Bream, Grilled Venison Loin followed by a Chocolate Praline Bar for dessert.
Botanist is also doing a Valentine’s three-course brunch which includes a glass of sparkling, a cocktail and a selection of brunch favourites, Crab and Avocado Eggs Benedict, Brioche French Toast and Wild Mushroom Risotto.
Juke Fried Chicken
Juke Fried Chicken is making they popular “I Cluckin’ Love You” Fried Chicken Bouquets. This is including eight pieces of their fried chicken in a decorative Valentine’s wrap. These are selling for $29 each. They are also selling cocktail kits for two to go along with your fried chicken.
A lot of these ideas are “for two” but for all my single pringles out there, that doesn’t mean you can’t do all of this by yourself. This means extra food and bubbly and wine for you. What else could you want on Valentine’s Day?